Sowetan reports that a facility in Limpopo that provides treatment for extreme cases of drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB) has been temporarily shut down after the provincial health department suspended over 30 nurses working there.  

On Wednesday patients were transported away from the Modimolle MDR TB Unit.  The specialised unit is the only facility of its kind in the province.  Nurses were apparently served with suspension letters after they refused to work while wearing protective masks they viewed as sub-standard.  One of the suspension notices makes reference to “an unlawful, wild cat strike”.  Thobile Ntola of the SA Public Service Union (SAPSU) said it was unfair for the provincial department to expect staff to work without proper protective gear.  An occupational health and safety report leaked to the Sowetan reflects that tests were conducted on masks and only four passed.  Derrick Kganyago, spokesperson at the provincial health department, denied that there was a problem with the masks, saying that the tender had been approved nationally.

• Read this report by Zoë Mahopo in full on page 10 of Sowetan of 29 September 2016
• Read an extended summary of this report at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page